The Dead Man's Flood

A Charlie Powell Short Story

By: Tony Acree

Narrated by: Rich Frazier

In the rain-drenched streets of 1937 Louisville, Kentucky, a city drowning in the Great Flood, private investigator Charlie Parker is a man with debts to repay and secrets to bury. Haunted by his past and pursued by a relentless storm, Charlie's world collides with corruption, crime, and the shadowy underbelly of the city he calls home.

When the desperate wife of Franklin Browning, a man Charlie owes a life-altering favor, appears on his doorstep, he has no choice but to accept the case. Her husband's sudden disappearance unravels a web of police corruption that runs deeper than the floodwaters, implicating those sworn to protect and serve. As Charlie delves deeper into the murky waters of this case, he discovers that a local mob boss, a man feared by all, holds the key to the truth.

With time running out and the relentless rain serving as a constant reminder of his past sins, Charlie Parker must navigate the treacherous terrain of deceit, betrayal, and a city on the brink of collapse. The lines between right and wrong blur as Charlie races against the clock to find Franklin Browning and uncover the dark secrets that threaten to drown them all. Will he emerge from the floodwaters with his soul intact, or will he be swept away by the tide of corruption that threatens to consume everything in its path?

Noir fans of classics like The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep, will love The Dead Man’s Flood.

©2025 Tony Acree (P)2025 Tony Acree

Crime in ol' Kentucky

1937. Louisville, The rain keeps coming but that doesn't stop bad men, and one good man. PI Charlie Parker is out to pay a debt. Even if he has to navigate the city of Louisville by boat. Rich Frazier does a great job or playing a cast to characters, each one more hard core noir than the last.

Great book!

I just drove around listening all day, not minding the traffic. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Perfect Noir Atmosphere

Growing up hearing stories from my grandparents about the 1937 Louisville flood made this audiobook hit differently. Tony Acree doesn't just tell a story, he transports you there.

This short story has old-time radio drama vibes, and I absolutely loved it. If you're into classic film noir, grab this now! Acree's writing is incredibly tight; every single word feels deliberate and necessary. No wasted sentences here.

The imagery? Perfection! I could practically feel the floodwater lapping at my ankles and feel the chill in the air. The historical details feel spot-on for 1930s Louisville too. You can tell the author did his homework.

Rich Frazier's narration deserves special mention. His delivery perfectly captures that gritty, world-weary tone you'd expect from the era. He doesn't overdo it, just nails the atmosphere completely.

It's a quick listen but packs a serious punch. Sometimes the best stories are the ones that know exactly what they want to be and deliver it flawlessly. This one does exactly that.

For Fans of Noir

Listening to The Dead Man's Flood is like turning on a classic black and white noir film. The narration is spot on for a 1930s private detective tale and the story was great. A great way to spend an hour!

I love the noir feel.

This is a very good audiobook. The reader did an awesome job and his voice made you feel like you were there watching it all unfold. The story had me hooked from the beginning and kept me on the edge of my seat. Well worth a listen.